Dogs off the lead

[LudaMusser]

I was walking with my thirteen month old in the pushchair this morning through a nature reserve type place. I've only recently found it and it's great for the two metre rule as the track is maybe six meters wide

It's quite popular with walkers, joggers and dog walkers. For the second time now an old woman (maybe sixty) has came towards me with five dogs all off the lead and none of them that close to her, she's definitely not in control of them

It really annoys me because on both occasions one of the dogs has ran straight up to the pushchair. I've then angled the pushchair to try and move it away from the dog. Two dogs are big, one a boxer type dog and the other an Alsatian. The other three are small terrier types. AIBU to want the dogs to be on a lead?

As a child I was scared of dogs as I was chased by some alsatians once and nearly bitten another time. I don't feel easy around some dogs, particularly bigger ones. I'm always concerned for my little girl, if a dog jumped up to the pram it doesn't bare thinking about

If people simply can’t cope with the irritations of living on a crowded island they should move somewhere less populated

What a ridiculous comment. Why can't people just be considerate of others and make sure their dogs aren't spoiling others' enjoyment of public spaces? Also where would you suggest people go exactly?

Bossy signs have been put up in our Common saying dogs must be on leads (I think the first time this has happened).

So I would suggest that it's the people who can't follow the rules, which have been created for the benefit of everyone, who should move somewhere with rules more to their taste.

Also trying to imagine what a non-"bossy" sign might look like?! "Just a suggestion, you could, you know, control your dog by keeping it on a lead. But no worries if you don't want to! This can just apply to everyone else, if you want."

Yanbu, I hate people not having control over their dogs. And one person with five dogs is so irresponsible, how can you control or protect all those dogs? What if another dog comes and attacks them? What if they see another dog/car and attack it?
I have one large breed dog, always on a lead unless we're in a well fenced place or in a large open space with no one else in sight.

LonelyInLockdown the problem is the few spoil it for the many so people will want all dogs on leads to stop the irresponsible who dont t show any common decency

This is a pet hate of mine (no pun intended), especially when they say "he/she won't hurt you" after the dog has already jumped up at hip height.

Adopted
Exactly. I hate dogs leaping up at me and the dog owner saying 'it's just being friendly'! Bizarre to imagine other people want a mucky salivating dog on their clothing. I've had two jumpers seriously snagged by dogs this way!
It was a dog jumping onto me when I was a child that led to my fear of dogs.
Keep them on a lead.

Quite agree @StoneofDestiny. I remember once a dog ran at me on a canal towpath and the owner seemed annoyed that I was scared.

Actually she's breaking government guidelines which are lead walking only if walking in an area with other people around. Not that anyone is adhering to that, I had to shout an owner to get his dog under control yesterday when it came bounding up to ds and I when we were walking in the park. This dog has been constantly approaching other people and dogs as we are there every day. No idea why dog owners think they are exempt from current restrictions but my rl experiences and numerous threads on here confirm that they do indeed think they can flout restrictions. Wonder how they'd feel about a bunch of toddlers running up to them and licking them .

She and every other dog walker round by me is flouting these on leash rules that are supposedly in place - I’m struggling to recall seeing a dog ON a lead by me. Whatever you think, you do have to have some resilience about dogs.

I think I'd be fairly non-plussed if a bunch of toddlers came up and started licking me . But whilst we're on that vein, people please keep your DCs away from dogs. Ddog is a big softy and loves attention, but you are not meant to be patting them at the minute for your own protection.

Actually she's breaking government guidelines which are lead walking only if walking in an area with other people around.
I haven’t seen this. Could you link please? @BlueGheko

I was wondering the same thing. That guidance has passed me by too.

RedRed9

www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces

From the notes

'if walking your dog in areas used by other people, you should walk your dog on a lead to ensure you can safely keep 2 metres away from others. You can find further guidance for pet owners here'.

The dog-on-lead coronavirus guidance is yet another triumph of complete hysteria over reason.

There's not even any evidence that humans can transmit coronavirus outdoors, much less a dog.

Actually we do know dogs can act as fomites hence veterinary staff all wearing ppe at the moment.

Veterinary staff are using PPE to protect them from pets’ owners, not the animals. And a lot of vets practices don’t have it any more because they’ve donated it to the NHS.

Thanks BlueGheko! That was news to me as our council has specifically said that dogs can be off leash as usual. However, it seems to fly in the face of the overall government advice which is interesting. I do wish that they had followed that advice, because for every well behaved dog on the local park paths, there is a poorly controlled on. Usually without incident, which is more about other people's actions to avoid them. This morning, I had a few who ran directly in my way (within a couple of feet with little warning) while the owner just wandered along and ignored it.

Do you work in a vets? I do. Ppe such as gloves/gowns are used to protect against possible fomites transmission, no clients are allowed in practice plus a plastic apron/gown isn't going to protect against aerosol transmission between humans. Masks are used to protect staff from each other, all animals are being admitted via social distancing using crates/dog hook etc, or at least they should be.

Oh and less than 5% of practices have donated, we absolutely do have plenty ppe.

I wish puppy/dog training was mandatory. A bit like a drivers license for having a dog. There are so many lovely dogs out there who would benefit from being taught recall and heel.

I am a dog owner by the way.

I believe all dogs should have off lead time, but I would probably feel a bit intimidated and dubious of the owners ability to control if I were approached by 5 off lead dogs at the same time. Saying that the lady's not doing anything illegal, so I would find some other place to walk if I were as worried as you.

@RedRed9 I think in some countries it is, maybe Switzerland. I definitely think at least 6 or 8 weeks of training should be necessary and dogs should have to pass some kind of test, being able to come when called and to stop walking/playing/whatever when told to.

I live in Korea and it's 10 times worse here. People will let their dog hump my dog and be like 'THEY'RE PLAYING', yeah, maybe your dog is, my dog hates it. Basically owning a dog is pretty new here and people really don't have any idea what 'normal' dog behaviour is, so they misread cues all the time eg the dog is happy, they think it's aggressive, the dog is scared, they think it's having fun.

Plus the norm is to let dogs poop and pee inside the house on training pads so I've literally been shouted at for letting my dog pee against a tree or poop on the grass (even though I obviously pick it up).

Saying that the lady's not doing anything illegal In some boroughs, she has more than 4 dogs at a time so in those boroughs, if she does not have a permit for walking more than 4 dogs at a time, she actually IS.

RedRed9 I have always wondered why local councils have not made it a requirement that if you have a dog you have to have a licence. So that all dog owners need to know the bylaws of having a dog in that area. And that a level of training was mandatory. My local borough has a very high expectation that people have a thorough knowledge of those bylaws for some reason. .... And from my experience, owners really do not.

YABU. A nature reserve is where dog walkers go to let dogs off for some proper exercise. If you don't want to meet dogs stay to the roads.

However, the woman should only have her dogs off if she is in control of her dogs.

Actually, a nature reserve is for any person to enjoy not just for people to walk their dogs off lead.

The usual rules don't apply even if a nature reserve is where you traditionally let your dog off lead. Like I say pre lockdown I could do my entire dog walk without meeting a soul, now it's families, couples,people on bikes with apparently no brakes. Life has changed and we all need to adapt as best we can. I'm happy to put my dog on a lead when we see people, but as he's not interested in people and won't cause a nuisance, I'm not going to keep him leashed on the off chance we might meet people.